Child safety device adaptable on a vehicle

ABSTRACT

Child safety device able to be adapted on a vehicle.  
     The device of the invention includes a portable element ( 2 ) fitted with a tiltable arch-shaped handle ( 4 ) and a base ( 3 ) permanently fixed on a seat of the vehicle, the portable element ( 2 ) and the base ( 3 ) being equipped with centering and positioning means and vertical locking means via the rotation of the portable element ( 2 ) with respect to the base ( 3 ).  
     According to the invention, the vertical locking means include an anchorage piece ( 15 ) provided with at least one locking branch ( 16 ) and an opening ( 17 ) emerging into a cavity and making it possible to insert the locking branch ( 16 ) through the opening ( 17 ) according to an engaging position and then bringing the portable element ( 2 ) into a locking position via a relative rotation of the anchorage piece ( 15 ) with respect to the opening ( 17 ).

[0001] The invention concerns the technical sector of motor vehiclesafety devices for a child and able to be used at the rear and/or at thefront of vehicles for private individuals.

[0002] The term “motor vehicle child safety device” is limited to lowweight categories, that is the groups 0, 0+ and 1, namely respectivelychild devices from 0 to 10 kg, 0 to 13 kg and 9 to 18 kg.

[0003] More specifically, the invention concerns devices made up of abody and a carrying arch-shaped handle offering a large number offunctions, such as carrying outside the vehicle or use as a benchdeck-chair.

[0004] Generally, these devices are secured to the seat of the vehicledirectly by means of the safety belt which requires that the operationbe repeated on each occasion the child enters or leaves the vehicle andthus presenting all risks which could occur resulting from the repeatedhandlings concerning safety adjustments.

[0005] At the current moment, these devices are associated with a secondelement, namely a base, so as to provide a solution to the problemmentioned above. The base is fixed in the vehicle with the aid of asafety belt and stays permanently. On each entering and leaving from thevehicle, the body is then solely fitted and locked on the base. Aportion of the safety belt can, if needed, help the base in supportingthe body by means of an adequate orientation around the body.

[0006] The main drawback of current safety devices lies in the fact ofrepeated and often difficult handlings brought about by installing thedevice in the vehicle which might or might not have a base.

[0007] In fact, without a base, the device is directly supported by thebelt whose correct positioning is obligatory for the effective holdingdown of the device. This means that on a daily basis the user has to payparticular attention to ensure the safety of his or her child. Inaddition, the obligatory passage points of the belt are not alwayseasily accessible, thus requiring several adjustments being made toinstall the device. In conclusion, apart from the fact that repetitionconstitutes a constraint, it may also represent a danger.

[0008] As regards those devices provided with base, these offer betterreliability of the installation, bearing in mind that this is onlycarried out on the first use of the device. The practical aspect is alsoimproved by virtue of the base since the installation is then limited toa single fitting of the two elements with one inside the other. However,the space needed to put the device in the vehicle is restricted by thepresence of the base and the handle needs to be folded down beforeentering the vehicle. The operation then consists of accuratelypositioning at arm's length a device weighing about ten kilosperpendicular to the seat of the vehicle when this device in no longerable to be properly picked up, the arch-shaped handle having previouslybeen folded back so as to reduce the spatial requirement of the device.

[0009] Finally, regardless of the device, after being installed in thevehicle, it is frequently necessary to adjust the position of the childin the device or adjust the setting of the harness. Now the position ofthe child perpendicular to the adult and back to the road then no longerallows acting effectively as accessibility to the inside of the body islimited and the adult carrying out the adjustment is quite often closeto the back of the seat which reduces the field of activity. To thisneeds to be added is the orientation of the safety belt of the vehicle,one of the latter's two portions often being taut in the spaceseparating the child and adult.

[0010] Thus, devices have been proposed provided with a base making itpossible to position the portable element and have it pivot around aspin axis so as to lock said portable element with respect to the basealong an adapted orientation.

[0011] The international patent application WO 98/23 462 describes adevice of this type allowing the portable elements to pivot with respectto the base. The base of this device is fitted with a complex mechanismable to vertically and in rotation lock the portable element when thelatter is positioned according to a particular orientation. Locking isensured by horizontal rods which are inserted in orifices situated atthe periphery of the support surface of the portable element. Locking isonly possible when the horizontal rods are opposite with the orifices ofthe portable element. A bright colour at the extremity of these rodsenables the user to visually ensure that locking of the portable elementwith respect to the base is fully effective. The unlocking of theportable element is ensured by a handle acting on the locking mechanism.

[0012] The users of child safety devices generally look for safety butalso for devices extremely simple to use. Also, the presence of anunlocking handle, visual control of locking and adjustment of therotating portable element thus constitute a large number of means andoperations complicating the use of the device offered in the document WO98/23 462. In addition, the implementation of these technical means isfrequently at the origin of jerks prejudicial to the comfort of thechild. Finally, the complexity of the mechanism of this device does notoffer reliable use over a period of time.

[0013] Thus, the object of the invention is to provide a devicesatisfying these objectives concerning safety, simplicity and comfort.

[0014] To reach these objectives, the invention concerns a child'ssafety device able to be adapted on a vehicle and including:

[0015] a portable element fitted with a tiltable arch-shaped handle anda support surface,

[0016] and a base fixed permanently on a seat of the vehicle andprovided with a bearing surface for cooperating with the supportsurface,

[0017] the portable element and the base being equipped with means forcentering and positioning the portable element on the base and verticallocking means via rotation of the portable element with respect to thebase between an engaging position and a locking position.

[0018] According to the invention, the vertical locking means include onone of the support or bearing surfaces an anchorage piece provided withat least one locking branch and on the other of the support or bearingsurfaces an opening issuing into a cavity and having a passage section,said passage section of the opening making it possible to insert thelocking branch through the opening along the engaging position and thenbring the portable element into the locking position by means of arelative rotation of the anchorage piece with respect to the opening.

[0019] Various other characteristics are shown in the followingdescription with reference to the accompanying drawings which show byway of non-restrictive examples embodiments and implementations of theobject of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 1 represents a safety device according to the invention andintended to receive a child's seat.

[0021]FIG. 2 represents the portable element for receiving a child'sseat.

[0022]FIG. 3 represents the base supporting the portable element of thedevice of the invention.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a cutaway section view representing the portable elementpositioned on the base of the device of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 5 illustrates the locking in rotation operation of theportable element.

[0025]FIG. 1 shows on reduced scale the safety device 1 according to anon-restrictive embodiment of the invention, said device comprising aportable element 2 placed on a base 3. The portable element 2 ensuresthe functions for housing and protecting the child and comprises eithera sole element constituting the seat and the back of the device orseveral elements respectively constituting the seat, backrest, headsupport, etc.

[0026] These elements can appear in the form of a body or body elementsintegral with the portable element 2.

[0027] The portable element 2 preferably includes a body for receiving aseat for a child.

[0028] The elements or components of this portable element 2 arerelatively rigid and light so as to satisfy the requirements ofstandards and the comfort expected by the consumer. This is why theiressential features are mainly based on:

[0029] blown, injected, thermoformed or rotationally-moulded plastics(polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS)

[0030] polystyrenes,

[0031] polyurethanes

[0032] which are able to strengthen tubular reinforcements, especiallymetal ones.

[0033] As shown on FIG. 2, the portable element 2 has a tiltable handle4 which in particular provides a carrying function. The design andergonomics of the arch-shaped handle vary depending on the device.According to the models, the arch-shaped handle allows movement parallelto the body, perpendicular to the body or both movements. The base ofthe portable element 2 can also have rails providing a bench function.

[0034] The base 3 is secured to the seat of the vehicle by anysuitably-adapted element, especially by means of a safety belt or strap.As shown on FIG. 3, the base 3 comprises points for passage of thesafety belt, such as slides 5 and 6, a baffle 7 comprising a slidefitted with a closing element 8. The slides 5 and 6 comply with therequirements of the current European standard and are situated at aminimum distance of 150 mm from a point constituting the intersection ofthe backrest and seat of the vehicle on which the base 3 is fixed. Thepassage of the safety belt via the baffle 7 ensures a deviation of theorientation of the latter making it possible to free the space requiredfor rotation of the portable element 2 on the base 3. The base can alsoinclude a U-shaped piece for limiting the risks of warping of theportable element 2 whose seat/backrest angle could be open. The U-shapedpiece 9 is directly in contact with the backrest of the portable element2 which makes it possible to block any movement ( of the backrest inrelation to the base towards the front of the vehicle.

[0035] During preparation of the installation in the vehicle, thearch-shaped handle 4 can be folded down from its vertical position,towards the back of the portable element 2 into an intermediate positionat about 45° which makes it possible to considerably reduce the spatialrequirement of the portable element 2 and thus making it easy it toinsert in the vehicle.

[0036] The first stage of installation consists of positioning orstacking the portable element 2 on the base 3.

[0037] As shown on FIGS. 3 and 4, the portable element 2 and the base 3are equipped with means for centering and positioning the portableelement 2 on the base 3. Thus, the first stage of installation issimplified by these means providing a function for the centering andinstantaneously positioning the portable element 2 without looking forany position or locking as is the case with certain devices of the priorart.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the centering andpositioning means comprise on the support surface 11 a cone orpreferably a centering truncated cone 12 cooperating with the bearingsurface 13 placed under the portable element 2.

[0039] This positioning stage is therefore carried out simply withoutsearching to find the correct position by virtue of the cone ortruncated cone 12 situated on the base 3 making it possible to obtain anautomatic centering of the portable element 2 at the anticipatedposition, that is the engaging position.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support surface11 and the bearing surface 12 have shapes exhibiting a symmetry ofrevolution with respect to a spin axis 14 of the portable element 2 withrespect to the base 3. This makes it possible to obtain one of thecharacteristics of the invention, namely the pivoting or rotation of theportable element 2 with respect to the base 3.

[0041] During the first installation stage, this pivoting characteristicenables the portable element 2 to be positioned on the base 3 so thatthis portable element 2 is in a different position with respect to atransport position, this being obtained via a simple pivoting orrotation of the portable element 2.

[0042] Thus, it is possible to position the portable element 2 on thebase in an engaging position so that the latter faces to adult beforemaking it subsequently pivot into the transport position.

[0043] The engaging position preferably corresponds to a position of theportable element 2 with respect to the base 3 in which the child isplaced perpendicular to a driving direction of the vehicle or parallelto a bench of said vehicle. As shown on FIG. 1, this dispositioncorresponds to a disposition perpendicular to the portable element 2with respect to the base 3 obtained during the first installation stageof the portable element 2 in the vehicle.

[0044] This first installation stage is carried out simply as theportable element 2 is generally placed inside the vehicle lengthwiseallowing a reduced spatial requirement. This position then enables theadult to control placing the child in the body and, if appropriate,easily put him back or adjust the harness, given the fact that the childand body are opposite the adult and not perpendicular as is generallythe case,; especially for devices not possessing this pivotingcharacteristic.

[0045] When the child is placed correctly, the adult can make theportable element 2 pivot on the base 3 and lock it with respect to thebase 3, this constituting a second installation stage.

[0046] The locking of the portable element 2 with respect to the base 3constitutes one characteristic of the invention which is initiallyensured with respect to a substantially vertical direction by verticallocking means.

[0047] In accordance with the invention, the vertical locking meansinclude on one side an anchorage piece 15 provided with at least onelocking branch 16 and on the other side an opening 17 issuing into acavity and having a passage section, the anchorage piece 15 beinginserted into the opening 17 according to the engaging position. Thepassage section of the opening 17 firstly makes it possible to insertthe locking branch 16 through the opening 17 according to the engagingposition and secondly bring the portable element 2 into the lockingposition by means of a relative rotation of the anchorage piece 15 withrespect to the opening 17.

[0048] As shown on FIGS. 3 and 4, the anchorage piece 15 has the shapeof a “T”, its upper portion constituting two locking branches 16. Theanchorage piece 15 is preferably placed on the support surface 11especially on the truncated cone 12, and an opening is fitted on thebearing surface 13 so as to receive said anchorage piece 15 when theportable element 2 is in the engaging position. Once rotation of theportable element 2 with respect to the base 3 has started, the anchoragepiece 15 inserted in the opening 17 of the bearing surface 13 of theportable element 2 keeps said portable element 2 laid flat on the base3.

[0049] It is also possible to have an anchorage piece 15 placed on thebearing surface 13 and the opening 17 fitted on the support surface 11.

[0050] The vertical locking position preferably corresponds to aposition of the portable element 2 with respect to the base 3 in whichthe child is placed parallel to a driving direction of the vehicle orperpendicular to a banquette of said vehicle. As shown on FIG. 5, thisdisposition corresponds to a disposition parallel to the portableelement 2 with respect to the base 3 obtained during the secondinstallation stage.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the means forvertically locking the portable element 2 with respect to the base 3include in addition at least one stop 18 placed on the portable elementand at least one tab 19 placed on the base, the stop 18 and the tab 19being placed in such a way that the stop 18 is inserted under the tab 19during rotation of the portable element 2 with respect to the base 3 inthe locking position.

[0052] Thus, the upper face of the stop 18 is in contact with the lowerface of the tab 19 so as to lock and vertically fix the portable element2 with respect to the base 3.

[0053] As shown on FIGS. 3 and 4, the stop 18 and the tab 19 arerespectively placed on the portable element 2 and on the base 3 so thatthe stop is inserted under the tab 19 when the portable element 2 isplaced parallel to the base 3, that is when it has rotated by about 90°with respect to an engaging position corresponding to a disposition ofthe portable element 2 perpendicular to the base 3.

[0054] When rotation has ended, the stop 18 is added to the anchoragepiece 15 for vertical locking or in translation of the portable element2. These two points constitute an effective and adequate fastening ofthe portable element 2 with respect to the base 3 guaranteeing thatthese two elements are firmly joined should an accident occur. Thus, themeans constituted by the stop 18 and the tab 18 are able to strengthenthe vertical locking of the portable element 2 with respect to the base3.

[0055] Dismantling of the portable element 2 can then only be carriedout by an inverse movement of rotation and not by a verticaltranslation. The advantage of locking by rotation according to theinvention resides in the fact of eliminating the jerk often required oncurrent devices so as to activate a bolt. In fact, this sudden movementhas the drawback of shaking the child and, could wake him up. Inaddition, vertical locking is effective immediately on the start ofrotation of the portable element 2 with respect to the base 1.

[0056] A third installation stage consists of locking the portableelement 2 in rotation with respect to the base 3.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking of theportable element 2 in rotation is ensured by a slanting towards the rearof the tiltable arch-shaped handle 4 on both sides of the bossessituated on the base 3.

[0058] The tiltable arch-shaped handle 4 is generally fixed by twofastening points on both sides of the portable element 2 so as to givethe child a movement parallel to the body and around an axis passingthrough these two fastening points. The locking in rotation of theportable element 2 with respect to the base 3 is thus ensured by thetiltable arch-shaped handle 4 when the adult slants towards the rear orlowers to horizontal when rotation is effective, that is when theportable element 2 is in the locking position. The handle 4 then is cladagainst the bosses 20 and also prevents rotation of the portable element2.

[0059] This locking in rotation or rotation of the portable element 2 isensured to avoid any risk of an accident occurring.

[0060] The use of the arch-shaped handle 4 as a means for locking andunlocking in rotation the portable element 2 results in obtainingimproved simplicity of the device in use owing to the absence of anyadditional element used for locking and unlocking.

[0061] According to one particular embodiment of the invention, theportable element 2 is fitted with two lateral handles 22 to ensure easytransport with studied grasping, even when the arch-shaped handle isslanted.

[0062] In particular, this is advantageous during installation insidethe vehicle so as to limit the general spatial requirement of the device(arch-shaped handle folded back) whilst preserving adapted grasping.During preparation of installation into the vehicle, the tiltablearch-shaped handle 4 can be folded back without adversely affectingcarrying as the handles 22 then take the relays of the tiltablearch-shaped handle 4.

1. Adaptable child safety device for use on a vehicle and including aportable element (2) provided with: a tiltable arch-shaped handle (4)and a bearing surface (13), and a base (3) permanently fixed on a seatof the vehicle and provided with a support surface (11) for cooperatingwith the bearing surface (13), the portable element (2) and the base (3)being equipped with means for centering and positioning the portableelement (2) on the base (3) and means for vertically locking theportable element (2) by means of rotation with respect to the base (3)between an engaging position and a locking position, characterised inthat the vertical locking means include on one of the support (I 1) orbearing (13) surfaces an anchorage piece (15) provided with at least onelocking branch (16) and on the other support (11) or bearing (13)surfaces, an opening (17) issuing into a cavity and having a passagesection, said passage section of the opening (17) making it possible toinsert the locking branch (16) through the opening (17) according to theengaging position and then bring the portable element (2) into thelocking position by means of a relative rotation of the anchorage piece(15) with respect to the opening (17).
 2. Device according to claim 1,characterised in that the anchorage piece (15) has the shape of a “T”whose upper portion constitutes two locking branches (16).
 3. Deviceaccording to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the anchorage piece(15) is placed on the support surface (11) and the opening (17) isfitted on the bearing surface (13).
 4. Device according to one of claims1 to 3, characterised in that the means for vertically locking theportable element (2) with respect to the base (3) further include atleast one stop (18) placed on the portable element (2) and at least onetab (19) placed on the base (3), the stop (18) and the tab (19) beingplaced in such a way that the stop (18) is inserted under the tab (19)during rotation of the portable element (2) with respect to the base (3)in the locking position.
 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,characterised in that the centering and positioning means include on thesupport surface (11) a centering truncated cone (12) cooperating withthe bearing surface (13) placed under the portable element (2). 6.Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that thesupport surface (11) and the bearing surface (13) have shapes exhibitinga symmetry of revolution with respect to a spin axis (14) of theportable element (2) with respect to the base (3).
 7. Device accordingto one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a locking in rotation ofthe portable element (2) is ensured by a slanting towards the rear ofthe tiltable arch-shaped handle (4) on both sides of bosses (20)situated on the base (3).
 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7,characterised in that the portable element (2) is fitted with twolateral handles (22) to provide easy transport with studied grasping,even when the arch-shaped handle (4) is slanted.
 9. Device according toone of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the portable element (2)includes a body for receiving a seat for a child.
 10. Device accordingto claim 9, characterised in that the engaging position corresponds to aposition of the portable element (2) with respect to the base (3) inwhich the child is placed perpendicular to a driving direction of thevehicle.
 11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in thatthe locking position corresponds to a position of the portable element(2) with respect to the base (3) in which the child is placed parallelto a driving direction of the vehicle.